Cremation vs Christian Burial

[Dullhook]

As some of you know my dad recently passed away from cancer. I'd again like to thank all of you for your prayers. Dad made it clear that he wanted to be cremated as an interment choice and we fulfilled his wishes. We're not a wealthy family by any means and he didn't want to put any additional financial strain on his loved ones. He was right with God and we know exactly where he is and Who he is with!

Well, I was a little disappointed and hurt by the "raised eyebrows" that this brought from a few people when they heard about the cremation. As far as my limited knowledge of the scriptures goes, there is no Biblical violation or mandate concerning the disposal of a human body after passing. "Absent from the body, present with the Lord" is very clearly stated. Yes, we are told to treat our bodies as a temple for God, but my interpretation of this is to do it consciously while we are alive. I haven't done a very good job with my own though :o.

God created Adam out of dust and breathed into his nostrils to give him life. It is our faith in Christ that gives us the gift of resurrected bodies and eternal life, not our method of disposing of our old ones. I didn't make any kind of issue over this but the reaction was kind of hurtful. Jesus had constant contention with the Pharisees and scribes over their legalistic "religious" views which missed the whole point of worshiping God. I feel that this view about cremation is legalistic too.

If you disagree with this please let me know. I would appreciate any views about this...pro or con. There is a lot of spiritual wisdom to be gained from contributors to this forum and I'll take all of the edification I can get! :wave:

In Christ, Dh.

[MikeMc]

I didn't think my first post would be on such a topic, but here we are.

FireCat is correct in that God is more than able to raise us from whatever condition our mortal bodies are in. Those who doubt that don't understand the power of God. (As if I/we have a real grasp of it ourselves.) Relax on this issue.

:twocents:

Mike

[wilsonriverfisher]

dont worry my brother you did the right thing no matter what anybody thinks. Your fathers wishes were to be cremated and thats what you did and I envy you for that. Opinions are like ----------'s everybodys has them and its just that there opinion.

Mike

[FishinGrl22]

I'm always reminded of Genesis 3:19 "by the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return."

This may not be stating it literally, but at the same time, does it really even matter? No it doesn't. When we die, even being buried, our bodies still rot, and decay. Wait long enough and they may turn back to dust. When I hear of a strong Christian, who's walking with the Lord, say that they wanted to be cremated at the point of their death, I see it to be very humbling. They absolutely know that their earthly body is no longer needed and as we join with Jesus, we really won't care about the body. We will care more about the worship and praise to God.

You did the right thing. God bless you for that.

[DAB]

Dullhook...my Brother There will always be negative reports on Cremation, mainly because many of the scriptures point to the pagans that creamated their dead, so God called for a different respect toward the body, now this would be a thesis in itself, so lets just say we are not pagen and oin the new testament it tells us our body will ROT and our spirit will be with the Lord, I creamated my Dad and My Brother Put their ashes on where they wanted to be....it was their wish .
Now my goood friend God will have no problem whatsoever in resurrecting any body from the ashes of cremation when Christ returns. No doubt hundreds of thousands of saved people have died in terrible fires over the thousands of years since creation. Through accidents and war, bodies have been obliterated in many ways. But we know that as far as the resurrection from the dead is concerned, God can do anything! When Jesus comes again all bodies of all the saved will be raised up and transformed into an eternal body from where ever their molecules have been scattered.
See I Corinthians 15:42-57 and I Thessalonians 4:14-18.

What then is the best way for a Christian, to be buried or cremated?
This is a personal decision that should be made by each individual for himself. In making a decision for ourselves on this matter about how his mortal body will be disposed of, every Christian should remember that we will not attend either our own funeral or our burial. We will be in Heaven.
The choice then should be,'what is best for our Loved ones, and what would best honor the Lord?" ...Billy Graham was ask "Will you be buried or cremated"....Rev. Graham stated...
"This Body is sore and it aches, I will not need it anymore, my family can do with it what they wish!" and he added "At the resurrection it will not make any difference whether a person's body has been buried or cremated. God knows how to raise the body, either in the resurrection of life or the resurrection of condemnation" (John 5:28-29")

Lord bless you Dullhook....You honored your fathers wishes and God honors your obedience

I didn't think my first post would be on such a topic, but here we are.

FireCat is correct in that God is more than able to raise us from whatever condition our mortal bodies are in. Those who doubt that don't understand the power of God. (As if I/we have a real grasp of it ourselves.) Relax on this issue.

:twocents:

Mike

dont worry my brother you did the right thing no matter what anybody thinks. Your fathers wishes were to be cremated and thats what you did and I envy you for that. Opinions are like ----------'s everybodys has them and its just that there opinion.

Mike

I'm always reminded of Genesis 3:19 "by the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return."

This may not be stating it literally, but at the same time, does it really even matter? No it doesn't. When we die, even being buried, our bodies still rot, and decay. Wait long enough and they may turn back to dust. When I hear of a strong Christian, who's walking with the Lord, say that they wanted to be cremated at the point of their death, I see it to be very humbling. They absolutely know that their earthly body is no longer needed and as we join with Jesus, we really won't care about the body. We will care more about the worship and praise to God.

You did the right thing. God bless you for that.


As said in the above replies GOD is able to reserect our bodies no matter how they were disposed of.
DAB

[Dullhook]

Thank you all for your thoughtful replies! :flowered:

We know that the fanciest funeral that money can buy and the most beautiful cross for a headstone aren't going to change the destination of the deceased. For some they are a way to remember and honor their loved-ones, which can be a good thing, but other than that are of little value.

Billy Graham was ask "Will you be buried or cremated"....Rev. Graham stated...
"This Body is sore and it aches, I will not need it anymore, my family can do with it what they wish!" and he added "At the resurrection it will not make any difference whether a person's body has been buried or cremated. God knows how to raise the body, either in the resurrection of life or the resurrection of condemnation"

Thank you for this gem, FireCat. Good stuff from Billy! :applause:

Recently I've had to make some important decisions effecting other people and probably have been over sensitive to the opinions of some by-standers not involved or effected by them. It wouldn't have served any good purpose saying anything so I just kept the feelings inside.

All we can do when making decisions is to pray for God's guidance and accept direction from the Holy Spirit. If we put all of our trust in God and try not to interfere, things will always work out for the best in the end. For guidance and truth the Holy Spirit is kind of like a compass which is always pointed in the direction of Jesus. Can't ever get lost that way!

[Norski]

My parents at one time wanted to be put into the ground, and some 30 years later they said they wanted to be cremated, my mom went first, and 6 months later my dad, I don't know if my sisters & brothers did wrong, but, they were together for 58 years, and I can say there ashes are together in 1 urn intumed in Washington cemetery.
As I have said in my living well, I want to be put in the same place, I believe in the ashes to ashes, if my God wants to recreate me, only he can.

[Grantspastor]

You'll find disagreement on this issue, but I can't find any Biblical contraindication for cremation. I think the previous posts are great. My own Father has asked to be cremated, and I will fulfil his wishes (If I'm still around)

[Dullhook]

To be fair about this, here's a different viewpoint from a very well respected Christian brother:

Cremation for Christians (http://www.tenth.org/qbox/qb_000709.htm)

[roadsend]

In the time of the early Church, Pagans historically practiced cremation wheras Christians practiced burial. Burial emphasized their belief in the resurrection of the body on the last day, an unfamiliar concept in the Roman world.
I can find nothing biblical forbiding cremation and as long as we are not denying belief in the resurrection of the body, it seems to me that either practice is acceptable. Members of my family have done both.
As an aside, the bodies of the dead, cremated or not, should be treated with respect. IMO, cremated ashes of Christians should be buried, not scattered. We would not scatter the bones of our dead, would we?
There are places in cemetaries reserved for cremated ashes to be entombed. Cremation does not in itself disrespect the body any more than does embalming. IMO neither practice precludes Christian burial.

[rimrock]

That’s good stuff roadsend. The body really does matter in Christianity, we have a very physical belief sometimes we over spiritualize our faith – when in fact it’s a prefect harmony of the spiritual and the physical. Burial aids in picturing that, but of course not in a dogmatic legalistic sense.

[BCF]

I looked in the Torah in the book of Leviticus and I read the commentary and found very little on the question you have asked. I did find this though. My wishes for you are for peace and comfort. I lost both my fathers( mine and my wife's) at the end of last year. My father wanted to be cremated for most of the same reasons that your's did, the week before he died upon a discussion with me he opted to be buried. I don't know if there is a "right " answer. But here is something that explains an old testament view.

Best wishes,
BCF




With today's high cost of burial -- casket, tombstone, plot of land -- many are opting for cremation. What is the Jewish position?
Judaism permits only burial. The source for this comes from the Torah, where God tells Adam:You will return to the ground, for it was from the ground that you were taken. (Genesis 3:19) Judaism not only specifically forbids cremation, but insists on a very simple burial directly into the ground.Let's understand why.
BODY AND SOUL Upon death, the soul goes through a painful separation from the body, which until now had housed the soul. This process of disengagement occurs as the body decays. When the body is buried, it decays slowly, thereby giving comfort to the soul as it disengages from the body.
http://www.aish.com/graphics/cleardot.gifJewish law forbids embalming or burial in a mausoleum, which would delay the decaying process.http://www.aish.com/graphics/cleardot.gifhttp://www.aish.com/graphics/cleardot.gifThis decay is crucial, which is why Jewish law forbids embalming or burial in a mausoleum, which would in fact delay the decaying process.
Also, Jews are buried in a wooden casket, which decays more rapidly. Similarly, Jewish law dictates that burial take place as soon as possible after death. (In Israel, funerals often take place on the same day as the death.) All this is for the benefit of the soul.
One reason that Judaism prohibits cremation is that the soul would suffer great shock due to the unnaturally sudden disengagement from the body. As the Talmud says:Burial is not for the sake of the living, but rather for the dead. (Sanhedrin 47a)What about the millions of Jews cremated in **** ovens?The Almighty certainly guarded their souls from needless agony.
RESURRECTION Jewish tradition records that with burial, a single bone in the back of the neck never decays. It is from this bone -- called the luz bone -- that the human body will be rebuilt in the future Messianic Era when all the dead will be resurrected.
http://www.aish.com/graphics/cleardot.gifSomeone who chooses cremation is as if he does not believe in resurrection.http://www.aish.com/graphics/cleardot.gifhttp://www.aish.com/graphics/cleardot.gifWith cremation, that bone can be destroyed, and the resurrection process stymied.
In fact, someone who chooses cremation is
as if he does not believe in resurrection. Resurrection is a fundamental belief of Judaism, as expressed in Maimonides' classical "13 Principles of Faith":I believe with complete faith that there will be a resurrection of the dead, whenever the wish emanates from the Creator.Sources: Beit Yitzchak, Yoreh Deah II, 195 (based on Talmud - Temurah 34a).Achiezer III, 72:4 (based on Deut. 21:23, and Maimonides - Laws of Sanhedrin 15:8).Published: Sunday, January 23, 2000

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[roadsend]

Reading of the Jewish burial practices makes the origin of some Christian practices more obvious.
There are still Christian monastic orders which follow many of these Jewish practices, i.e. same day burial, no embalming, simple or no coffin.
The themes common to both of these faith traditions is respect for the bodies of our dead and belief in the resurrection of the body on the last day.

[CATCH AND EAT]

With today's high cost of burial -- casket, tombstone, plot of land -- many are opting for cremation. What is the Jewish position?

Judaism permits only burial. The source for this comes from the Torah, where God tells Adam:You will return to the ground, for it was from the ground that you were taken. (Genesis 3:19)

Many takes on this scripture are available and many opinons raise as to how a body is to be returned to the earth. We ask ourselves which way is correct and what does our religions allow? This is a difficult discussion for many of us to have but for me it matters not how were are buried but how we have lived life. Whether we decay in the ground or are returned to the ground via creamation matters not to God. Only that we served him while we were alive. I don't think he forgets about those that are lost at sea or are never found and given proper burial/creamation. God knows the heart.


Burial is not for the sake of the living, but rather for the dead. (Sanhedrin 47a)

Respectfully, that is one interpretation of the death matter. But really burial or even a memorial service is for the living. It gives the living closure to a life lived good or bad. It is the end of a persons life on earth. Again, God knows the heart.
I believe with complete faith that there will be a resurrection of the dead, whenever the wish emanates from the Creator.

I concur and will state that I believe the Creator will judge us all justly and fairly whether we were creamated or buried within the tradition of our beliefs or religions. The resurrection day will be interesting and I certainly have no idea of the happenings or what will take place other that day. I just know we all better be ready for it. I am.

So to the original poster here I think it is a matter of personal choice as to how our final arrangements are made. My personal wish at this time is to be creamated and have my ashes spread at sea. But that is just me.

And Robin, I really appreciate your thoughts and contribution to this subject. A very interesting perspective and I respect it very much.
Sources: Beit Yitzchak, Yoreh Deah II, 195 (based on Talmud - Temurah 34a).Achiezer III, 72:4 (based on Deut. 21:23, and Maimonides - Laws of Sanhedrin 15:8).Published: Sunday, January 23, 2000


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[rimrock]

Ultimately this clearly is an area of Christian freedom. In Scripture burial is demonstrated over and over so it’s not hard to find that in the Bible. In a mandated or required legalistic sense? Of course not.

As long as Christians stay way from the Gnostic influence of physical is bad (or without meaning) and spiritual is good (or all that really matters) than cremation or burial is fine. The spirit is important, the soul is important and the body is important in Christianity. No other belief to my knowledge places such a balanced influence on all aspects of our humanity as Christianity. The mode of “burial” isn’t as important as realizing this truth.

Yes, Scripture points to placing the body in a grave/tomb. This was the method God choose for Moses of which He could have picked any method. If the body meant nothing why was Satan wrestling God’s angel for it? The angel could have just said fine no big deal have it.

Many saints have been creamated as well, which hasn’t dishonored anything. Either way I’m really looking forward to the promise of all things being made new!

[CATCH AND EAT]

Many saints have been creamated as well, which hasn’t dishonored anything. Either way I’m really looking forward to the promise of all things being made new!


BINGO! opps, can I say that here.:grin: Well said Rimrock.:cheers:

[PapaHog]

My wife was cremated and awaits me to join her at Willamette National Cemetery and I will be cremated and trust God for my resurrection to be with the Lord.

[D-tangle]

There is no constraining Biblical verse, so it is a personal decision (if it was imperitive, God would mention it). If you want to bring social or traditional views, you stir the pot. Jesus always watched out for unbiblical traditions that negated the truth.
When my dad passed, he wanted to be cremated and scattered. He was not a believer, but I wouldn't have argued even if he was. It was a personal decision.

Would Jesus have insisted that poor believers be put under financial hardship for a whole body burial? I know He wouldn't, so anyone who wants to put a brother or sister under the yoke of debt is wrong and a Pharisee, as such. Don't allow a tradition to enslave you as the Devil would.

Finally, the body that is sown is not the body that is raised. This means that the molecules of flesh and bone are not used for the resurrection body. We are given new molecules, so transplant recipients are not suddenly deprived of a 'loaner' organ! This is almost humorous to think about. "God wants it back, now!" Ouch!
The body is resurrected from the last resting place it was on earth, not a sudden scavenger hunt for individual molecules that were lost at the bottom of the ocean and became crab bait (even though He could do this if so constrained).

Be at peace with your decision, because God does not frown upon those who seek to do His will. Blessings.

[PapaHog]

That is pretty good D. God will raise a perfect body not this mess I live in today. Cremation for me.

[rimrock]

The body that is laid in the grave (yes be it burial, cremation…) is in fact the very same body that is raised imperishable. There really is a one-to-one correlation to the body we have now and the one resurrected. I don’t know if this is the best analogy but there is a one-to-one correlation between the caterpillar and the butterfly. The butterfly does not appear randomly but the blueprint of the butterfly is found in the caterpillar.

Even Jesus’ very same body was raised from the grave. Not a new one per se but the old made new. This is why the body is important in Christianity even after death. The very body we now have will be the very same one resurrected but made (or maybe better put re-made) new without the damaging affects of the power of sin.